It was just less than a week ago that I asked, “What’s up with the Mariners (in a good way)?” They were on a four-game winning streak, they were hitting well and dominating a Detroit team that, at least up until that point, was expected to be in the World Series hunt.

But now they’re back in a familiar rut, losing four in a row to Toronto and Tampa Bay. And the guys who looked like they were finally finding their stride at the plate are once again flirting with the Mendoza line.

Justin Smoak, who went 4-for-5 two weeks ago and slapped a three-run shot over the wall at Comerica Park last week, is batting a measly .190. Brendan Ryan, Seattle’s starting shortstop, is doing even worse — somehow — with a .131 batting average. He has just eight hits this season.

Perhaps it was all in my head, but it seemed Chone Figgins was doing a lot better, having taken over the leadoff spot and getting consistent starts in the outfield. But now, 25 games into the season, he’s still hitting just .209. And even Dustin Ackley, a young guy in whom the Mariners are placing a lot of hope, is struggling on offense, hitting just .238.

Miguel Olivo was on a five-game hitting streak, having finally found his bat, when he went down Monday with a strained right groin. But he was still hitting just .210 in 23 games.

Nevertheless, there are some bright spots. The guy who should take over Olivo’s starting job at catcher, rookie Jesus Montero, is only improving as the season marches on. Montero is now hitting .294, and went 4-for-4 in Seattle’s loss to the Rays on Tuesday. He seems to hit a lot better when he’s catching — more in tune with the game than when he is designated hitter.

Ichiro Suzuki is the only Mariner hitting above .300 (he’s at .302), and is seventh in the American League with 32 hits. Rookie infielder Alex Liddi has come out swinging (pardon the pun), batting .286 and playing a key role in the Mariners’ three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit. And the other backup catcher, John Jaso, is batting .286 but has only 18 at-bats.

All that said, the Mariners have been (barely) out-hitting their opponents this season, 208 to 206. But, by and large, they haven’t been able to turn those hits into runs. As of Wednesday morning, the M’s were oh-fer in their past 30 opportunities with runners in scoring position. The clutch hitting is simply not there. The Mariners can hit, but they haven’t been working together to create productive rallies.

Maybe it’s because the team is so young. Maybe it’s because they still haven’t settled into the season. Maybe — let’s be honest — it’s because they might just stink. Who knows? There’s not much point in guessing why the Mariners don’t hit with runners in scoring position. The important thing is for Manager Eric Wedge to just fix it.